The DB9 in drag: Kahn's Vengeance is finally here

Kahn has unveiled its production Vengeance. It’s a car you may be familiar with already, but now we’ve seen it in person for the first time, at this year's Geneva show.

It’s bold, isn’t it? There’s clearly an Aston Martin DB9 under there, but it’s had a rather thorough rethink. They say it’s inspired by Astons of the 1980s and 90s. And beasts like the V8 Vantage Zagato, Vantage V600 and original Vanquish that we’re most seeing in its curvaceous shape.

Most noticeable is its big-mouthed grille - crafted from a single piece of alloy - which prepares you for the wide rear haunches and bold alloy wheels that lie around the side. Rather makes the new Aston DB11 look demure, doesn’t it?

The only panels shared with the DB9 are the cant rails and bootlid, as well as the rear glass. Everything else is new, and while many of the panels are swapped for their original part, the roof sits atop the DB9’s, to ensure the structure remains intact. Though we can’t imagine the weight, and centre-of-gravity, are helped along quite as much…

Five have been made, split between two coupes and three Volante convertibles. All use the DB9’s 510bhp 5.9-litre V12 engine, and despite the inevitable extra weight caused by the extra bodywork, the Aston’s 183mph top speed and 4.6-second 0-62mph time are quoted.

Power upgrades are being considered for future versions, as, inevitably, are cars based on the newly unveiled DB11. Kahn had hoped to unveil the Vengeance sooner, and it’s perhaps unfortunate that it sits rather close to the striking new Aston in the Geneva halls.

Simple question, then: price aside (for the Kahn costs £360,000…), which would you rather be seen in?